Black History Spotlight

Kary Raines

Kary Raines currently serves as Associate Director for Facilities Management and Director of Hospital Environmental Services at the University of Illinois Hospital. This is one of the largest departments within the Medical Center where he supervises over 190 employees. He has been employed with the University of Illinois at Chicago since 1974. He has provided 33 years of dedicated service. We spotlight Kary because he demonstrates how hard work and a good work ethic can pay off. Kary started as a part-time employee in 1974 in the Food Services Department as a Food Service Laborer. He worked there for over three years. He decided to transfer to the Hospital Housekeeping Department in 1978. In the Housekeeping Department he was able to advance through the ranks with continuous promotions consisting of the following titles; Hospital Service Worker, Hospital Service Foremen, Hospital Service Supervisor, Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Departmental Information Supervisor, Health Center Administer, Assistant Superintendent Building Services, Superintendent of Building Services.

Kary has been employed at UIC his entire work history. He states “there is always opportunity to succeed as long as you keep an open mind to reach the goals that you set for yourself.” He is a people person and states that he will never ask any employee under his supervision to do something that he won’t do. “In the housekeeping business, you’re a lawyer, a counselor, a psychiatrist and a manager.”

Kary has worked hard and earned many awards for his dedication to his department and UIC including the Class Act Award in 2006 while continuing to earn a BA degree in Business Administration. He also has enhanced his education by earning the designation of Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional (CHESP). The CHESP is a national credential that distinguishes an individual as being among the elite in the critical field of healthcare management. Also, he has completed the education requirements for a Registered Executive Housekeeper which is the highest designation offered by the International Executive Housekeepers Associations, Inc. Kary manages his investment properties after work and on weekends. His goal is to one day make this daily business. Kary resides in Westchester, IL with his wife and two twin children Donovon and Diana.